A Romance Tail || Haikyuu

Returned Affections - Chapter 4

Sugawara always felt something strange within his chest whenever Kageyama was around, it would swell in a way that made him feel giddy and light, something he hadn't felt in a long time since being thee at the aquarium. He wanted so very much to tell Kageyama about these feelings, but were unsure of what they were or how to properly express them. It frustrated him that he didn't understand his own feelings. Kageyama seemed oblivious to it, having beginning to plan their escape. It seemed that when the colder seasons rolled around, less people came to the aquarium and often stayed in their houses to keep warm. Kageyama had explained that one day, when the crowd is smaller and the aquarium closes up earlier in the day, he and a few of his friends were going to help them escape. This of course excited Sugawara, being free to swim again, being able to warn his fellow mer-friends of what may happen if they enter the waters around the country.

"What happens if we're caught?"

Sugawaras voice shook as he spoke, surely there would be a chance and if they were indeed caught, what could happen? He may never see Kageyama again, or any of the other merpeople, or anyone.

"Shh, calm down Sugawara. That's what my friends will be there for. Daichi, Tanaka and Asahi will be helping me move you guys, while Noya and Tsukishima will be watching out for anyone coming in. They'll be able to tell us if someone is coming and we can abort."

Sugawara nodded slowly, having already met the five friends Kageyama had mentioned. Yamaguchi seemed rather fond of Tsukishima, blushing and using his fins to hide his face. While Tanaka and Noya were fascinated with Kiyoko and Yachi, they even managed to make Yachi squeak and blush as they praised her. He was glad though, she was finally coming out of her shell and letting everyone know who she is. They even found out where she was from, the Caribbean Sea. Seems she too had migrated like Sugawara to the Yellow Sea. He figured they had been caught by the same fishermen too.

"So ... how long do you think it will be until we find the right time to escape and ... how ar you going to hide four merpeople? We don't do camouflage ..."

Kageyama snorted a bit and chuckled, shaking his head with a warm smile, something that Sugawara registered as special, after seeing how he acted with his friends it seemed that the only time he smiled was around those indeed special to him, which made Sugawara fall deeper.

"We're borrowing Asahi's and Daichi's cars. They're pretty big. You and Yamaguchi will be traveling with Tsukishima, Tanaka and Noya, while you, Daichi and I will be going together. We'll get you to the beach and carry you to the water's edge."

Sugawara eyes lit up at the mention of the beach and the thought of being able to swim again. However, he also registered that if he were to return to the water, he may never see Kageyama again. An inner conflict began inside him, he longed to be free but he longed for Kageyama too. He had to confess, somehow, he had to find the words to tell Kageyama he was in love with him.